Home Improvement Tips: The Kitchen
Whether you’re looking to improve your home as you get it ready for sale or just want to enjoy you space a little more, there are some great tips to help you get started. Not every improvement has to make a big impact on your wallet, and if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and use a little elbow grease, you can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home without breaking the bank. If you’re crafty or handy, you can even have fun doing it!
The kitchen tends to be the workhorse of the home and so we’ll focus the bulk of our attention there. We spend a lot of time in our kitchens; they serve both as a workspace where we prepare meals for our families, but also can serve as a warm and welcoming area to host our guests.
The first step to home improvement is to ensure that everything is in good working order. Repair any leaks, drippy faucets, broken tile, chipped baseboards, loose cupboard handles, and take note of any caulk that needs to be done. Although this might not make a big impact when you first walk into the kitchen, and most visitors won’t even notice these changes, they’re crucial if your house is on the market, and if you’re living there, it will make the spaces more functional and less irritating.
A great way to dress up your kitchen is to replace or refinish your cupboards. Probably one of the biggest impacts that you can make is to change this main feature. If you can’t afford a full replacement, look at priming and painting as an option. If you don’t want the work involved with sanding and priming, there are great chalk paints out there in a variety of punchy colors that don’t require either of these steps.
Your countertops are another statement in the room, and another great way to update or add value or your personality to space. Since they come in a wide range of materials, colors, and shapes, the world is pretty much your oyster in this regard.
Open shelving can be a wonderful alternative to cupboards in a kitchen, especially if you have a collection or just a nice set of bakeware or dishes you’d like to show off. A stainless steel set of floating shelves is modern and crisp, while a set of wood shelves with dark stain can add warmth to space.
The lighting in your kitchen is crucial, and you’ll want to take a look at both the type of light bulbs you’re using along with the fixtures. A bright kitchen is appealing and easier to work in and not enough light is a huge drawback. Fixtures should compliment both the functionality of the space and the style and decor of choice.
Last but not least, if you’ve got windows in your kitchen then window dressings can be a fun way to spice up the room. A simple, crisp valance across the top of the window can make a big impact without being too fussy.
Article by Jon Reyes, a guest writer from Steam Shower Store. Jon is a specialist writer and has extensive knowledge in everything related to steam showers, saunas, and hydrotherapy benefits.
